The press secretary to former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is heading to the South to help Republicans retain one of their two most endangered Senate seats.

Megan Whittemore told reporters in an email Monday that beginning later this week, she will be communications director for David Perdue's campaign in Georgia.

Whittemore's exit comes as Cantor is set to resign from Congress, effective Aug. 18 . The Virginia Republican's descent from leadership and early exit followed his stunning June 10 primary defeat — and Whittemore was one of several top Cantor staffers identified as likely attractive candidates for new jobs.

"After five incredible years working with House Republicans, it's time to regain the Senate Majority, advance positive reforms, and achieve meaningful results for America," Whittemore wrote in the email.

Perdue, the former CEO of Reebok and Dollar General, recently defeated Rep. Jack Kingston in a GOP primary runoff and now faces Democrat Michelle Nunn. The race for the seat of retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss is the only competitive Republican-held open seat on the map.